Dracaena plant named ‘Dragontwis’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Dracaena  cultivar named ‘Dragontwis’ is disclosed, characterized by green leaves with lighter green margins of twisted form. The new variety is a  Dracaena , typically produced as an ornamental plant.

Latin name of the genus and species: Dracaena fragrans.

Variety denomination: ‘Dragontwis’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new cultivar is the product of chance discovery. The new variety originated as a naturally occurring branch mutation of the variety Dracaena fragrans ‘Lemon Surprise’ U.S. Plant Pat. No. 12,654.

The new variety was discovered by the inventor, Ruud A. M. Scheffers, a citizen of the Netherlands, in July of 2007 in a commercial greenhouse belonging to the inventor in Honselersdijk, The Netherlands. After identifying the new variety as a potentially interesting selection, the inventor continued confidential testing and propagation of ‘Dragontwis’, assessing the stability of the unique characteristics of this variety.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar ‘Dragontwis’ was first performed at the commercial greenhouse of the inventor in Honselersdijk, The Netherlands by vegetative cuttings in July of 2007. Access to all plants was restricted, as plants were kept in a locked greenhouse not open to the public. Through subsequent propagation by vegetative cuttings, multiple generations have been reproduced, which have shown that the unique features of this cultivar are stable and reproduced true to type.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘Dragontwis’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environment such as temperature, day length, and light intensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘Dragontwis’. These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘Dragontwis’ as a new and distinct Dracaena cultivar:

-   -   1. Green leaves with lighter green margin.     -   2. Twisted leaves.

PARENT COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘Dragontwis’ are similar to the parent, Dracaena fragrans ‘Lemon Surprise’ in most horticultural characteristics. The new variety, however, produces leaves green in color with a lighter green margin, whereas ‘Lemon Surprise’ produces leaves that are a dark green with narrow white stripes and a broad light green margin. The leaves of ‘Dragontwis’ are twisted unlike the arching foliage of ‘Lemon Surprise’.

COMMERCIAL COMPARISON

‘Dragontwis’ is similar in most horticultural characteristics to the variety Dracaena fragrans. ‘Lemon Surprise’ in most horticultural characteristics. The new variety, however, produces leaves green in color with a lighter green margin, whereas ‘Lemon Surprise’ produces leaves that are a dark green with narrow white stripes and a broad light green margin. The leaves of ‘Dragontwis’ are twisted contrary to the leaves of ‘Lemon Surprise’.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates in full color a typical plant of ‘Dragontwis’ grown in a commercial greenhouse in Honselersdijk, The Netherlands. This plant is approximately 2 months old, shown planted in a 15 cm container. The photograph was taken using conventional techniques and although colors may appear different from actual colors due to light reflectance it is as accurate as possible by conventional photographic techniques.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart 2007, except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observations and measurements describe ‘Dragontwis’ plants grown in a greenhouse in Honselersdijk, The Netherlands. A steady temperature of approximately 20° C. at night and 20° C. during the day was maintained. No artificial light, photoperiodic treatments were given to the plants. The plant was shaded if the sun was shining on it. Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typical plant types.

-   Botanical classification: Dracaena fragrans ‘Dragontwis’.

PROPAGATION

-   Time to initiate rooting: About 4 weeks at approximately 20° C. 6     weeks for full rooting. -   Root description: Moderately thick, moderately fibrous, not fleshy,     young roots Yellow-White 158D, older roots Greyed-Orange 163D.

PLANT

-   Age of plant described: 2 months. -   Pot size of plant described: 15 cm pot. -   Growth habit: Upright. -   Height: Approximately 25.9 cm. -   Plant spread: Approximately 32.8 cm. -   Growth rate: Moderate, approximately 8 cm per month. -   Branching characteristics: Not free branching, growing with one main     stem from the base. Will only develop lateral branches after     pinching/pruning. -   Diameter of stem: Approximately 2.1 cm. Stem not visible but fully     covered by leaves, individual stem characteristics outside of     diameter are not measurable. -   Internode length: Average 0.4 cm. -   Texture of stem: Stem not visible but fully covered by leaves. -   Color of stem: Stem not visible but fully covered by leaves. -   Stem strength: Very strong. -   Number of leaves per stem: Average 26.

FOLIAGE

-   Leaf:     -   -   Arrangement.—Alternate (spirally).         -   Average length.—Approximately 25.3 cm.         -   Average width.—Approximately 5.7 cm.         -   Shape of blade.—Lorate.         -   Aspect.—Average angle at base: 40°, tips curved downward in             an average angle of −60° (0°=vertical).         -   Apex.—Acuminate, not sharp.         -   Base.—Broad cuneate.         -   Attachment.—Sheathing.         -   Margin.—Entire.         -   Texture of top surface.—Smooth, very glossy.         -   Texture of bottom surface.—Smooth, moderately glossy.         -   Color.—Young foliage upper side: Near RHS Green 143C, center             darker, near N137A. Young foliage under side: Near RHS             Yellow-Green 144C, center darker, near N137B and N137C, both             colors present. Mature foliage upper side: A color shade             between RHS Green 139A and Yellow-Green 147A but much             darker. Margins a color between Green 143A and Green 139B.             Mature foliage under side: Near RHS 137A. Margins near Green             139B.         -   Venation.—Type: Parallel. Color: Upperside: As leaf blade.             Underside: As leaf blade.         -   Sheath.—Average Length: Approximately 1.7 cm. Average Width:             Approximately 1.1 cm. Color: Near RHS Greyed-Green 193C,             margins near 194A. Texture: Smooth, glossy.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

-   Flower production: Not observed. -   Disease and pest resistance: Neither resistance nor susceptibility     to normal diseases and pests of Dracaena has been observed. -   Drought tolerance and temperature tolerance: Moderately high drought     resistance, good heat resistance. -   Fruit/seed production: Not observed. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Dracaena plant named ‘Dragontwis’ as herein illustrated and described. 